A few good tips to maybe avoid angering someone who could very well RUIN your entire day, week, life and so forth...
When being stopped by a squad car...
1) If you can clearly see that you violated the law or ordinance of some sort, find a SAFE, public, and roomy place to stop, like a parking lot, or the LEFT shoulder of a multi lane highway (I-94, 694, etc). Stop on the RIGHT side of a regular road (snelling, university, central etc...)
***If you cannot pull over safely, point out the window or wave to acknowlege that you plan to stop, or point in the direction of which you plan to travel to find a place to stop. And do it in a safe, but VERY prompt manner.
*Always keep your ID with you. You can be booked into jail for failure to produce ID*
*****IF YOU DOUBT YOU ARE BEING STOPPED BY A REAL OFFICER******
Slow down and pull to the shoulder, keep your speed at around 5-10mph, put your 4 way flashers on, turn on your dome light, and call 911... Tell them you've been signaled to stop by an unmarked vehicle that does not look like a regular squad car. Tell them where you are, and what city you are in... If you're on a major state road or interstate, or US highway, ask immediately for the State Patrol. Give dispatch your license plate number and description of your vehicle. Dispatch will come over the "main" channel will ask all cars if they are stopping you. The dispatcher should be able to adivse you to stop at that time... If the dispatcher says that they don't know who is stopping you, DO NOT STOP. Continue at your slow pace, and if you must stop, do it in a VERY public place like a gas station, mall parking lot, etc... Tell dispatch EXACTLY where you are, and where you plan on stopping. "I'm on highway 36 just west of 35W... I'll get off on Rice Street, and stop at the Super America."
2) Pull over as FAR as you can, even if you're half in the ditch. Shut your car COMPETLEY off, place the keys on the dash at night. Turn on your dome lights, but NEVER let your hands drop below the line of sight of the officer. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel. Do NOT pull out your ID or insurance YET... The officer may approach slowly, and knock on your trunk. Don't be alarmed. That's so no one pops outta the trunk with an AK47 like in the movies... Hey, it happens in LA, it could happen here
The officer will most likely have their hand on their side arm... Don't be alarmed, this is Standard Operating Procedure as set forth by the POST (Police Officer Standards Testing) Board. Don't be alarmed by back up either... If you've done nothing wrong, then it's because there's nothing better to do...
If you're a pasenger, keep your hands, palms relaxed, laying on your lap. Look strait ahead. Answer ALL questions honestly, because once your seperated and you lie, your story will most likely not match those of others... Then you ALL go to jail.
3) Let the officer lead the way... They'll ask you for ID and insurance. Tell them where it is, and ask if you can reach for it... "It's in my jacket here sir/mam, can I get if for you?" "I keep it in my glove compartment, can I reach for it?" Follow their directions. They may ask you if you have any weapons or drugs in the car at that time. Tell them EVERYTHING, cause they'll probably find it anyway... It's just gonna lead to an additional obstruction charge. Pipes, roaches, bumpers, one'ies, blunts, baggies, scales, pen guns, deer hunting rifles in the trunk, BB guns, nunchucks, sais, hand gernades... EVERYTHING
4) BE BRUTALLY HONEST. If you were going 76 in a 55, tell him/her that you had the cruise at 80 or so... Don't try to be funny... Just be honest. "I ment no disrespect, I just didn't see that stop sign until it was too late"
5) Do NOT argue... Try your case in court. Arguing will not get you anywhere... Don't plead, beg, or belittle yourself by crying and peeing your pants (happens every week).
6) If the officer does not fine you, THANK THEM TOO MUCH. Don't take any more of their time telling them about your aunt's new boyfriend who knew a guy who dated a cop from some town in North Dakota. I, nor anyone else in this world gives a rat's ass...
7) If the officer DOES fine you, be VERY clear and ask questions. Again, do NOT argue. Listen to his directions, and if you have ANY doubt on anything they just said, ask them questions. Better to ask a redundant question than to miss a court date. State of Minnesota suspends your DL now for late tickets. Thank the officer anyway... Piss and moan about it here... not to the officer.
8) Wait for the officer to get back into their car before you start yours again, and SIGNAL when you leave...
9) And no, I can't get you out of your tickets. So stop asking.
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